Show Notes
As The Simpsons hits its 800th episode, Jim Hill takes a moment to appreciate how this once-scrappy Fox upstart became an animation institution that may never actually end. From the long-lost series finale concept where Homer and Krusty were secretly the same person to the show’s upcoming theatrical sequel and Disney’s long-term park plans, this week’s Fine Tooning looks at how Springfield keeps evolving. Plus, box office updates, Avatar sequel math, Matt Braly’s next move after Sony, and a wild Steven Spielberg phone call that changed animation history.
NEWS
• The Simpsons celebrates its 800th episode with “Irrational Treasure,” the 14th episode of Season 37, as the series eyes renewal through Season 40 and a second theatrical film set for September 3, 2027.
• Disney+ viewers can compare Season 1’s “Santa’s Little Helper” to the new milestone episode to see just how dramatically the show’s animation quality has evolved since 1989.
• Sony Pictures Animation’s Goat opens strong over Presidents Day weekend, reportedly close behind Warner Bros.’ Wuthering Heights, with final box office numbers still shifting.
• Zootopia 2 crosses $1.83 billion worldwide, becoming the ninth highest-grossing film of all time, though its upcoming March 3 home video release may slow its push toward $2 billion.
• Avatar: Fire & Ash reaches $1.46 billion globally, profitable but well below the franchise’s prior installments, raising questions about costs and expectations for Avatar 4 and 5.
• Matt Braly and Rebecca Sugar’s previously in-development Sony feature is shelved, but Braly launches a Kickstarter on March 13 for his indie gothic horror pilot Clara and the Below.
• The RiffTrax team raises nearly $1.9 million on Kickstarter for The RiffTrax Experiments, offering a hopeful blueprint for creator-driven animation crowdfunding.
FEATURE
• The behind-the-scenes story of how Judy Freudberg and Tony Geiss were hired by Steven Spielberg to write The Land Before Time, following his surprise discovery of Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird.
• Spielberg’s now-legendary phone call to Freudberg, initially mistaken for a prank, ultimately led to a creative partnership that bridged Sesame Street and major animated feature filmmaking.
HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work
FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency
SPONSOR
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More from Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor
Jim Hill and Drew Taylor have plenty to discuss as Disney's upcoming animated feature Hexed takes center stage, with a fresh trailer, striking visual designs, and new details about the creative team. They also explore the latest animation announcements from New York Comic Con, a milestone anniversary for It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and the next chapter for Disney's long-running Broadway productions. Plus, Don Bluth gets the documentary treatment, LAIKA prepares to unveil Wildwood, and KPop Demon Hunters heads to the Criterion Collection. HIGHLIGHTS • Disney's Hexed reveals more of its magical world ahead of its November 25 theatrical debut, with directors Jason Hand, Josie Trinidad, and Fawn Veerasunthorn at the helm. • Drew shares insights from Disney's recent press event, including a look at the new animated short Lilo & Scratch and the jewel-toned visual style of Hexed. • New York Comic Con brings updates on Avatar: Seven Havens, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and Marvel's upcoming animated projects. • It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown celebrates its 60th anniversary with a Starbucks merchandise collection that disappears almost as quickly as it arrives. • Disney's The Lion King prepares to reimagine its record-breaking North American tour, while BOOP! The Musical hits the road. • Animation legend Don Bluth gets a new documentary, while Ron Clements shares decades of Disney history in Making Disney Magic. • LAIKA's Wildwood heads to theaters, and KPop Demon Hunters receives a Criterion Collection release packed with bonus features. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a fall getaway to Orlando? BeOurGuestVacations.com can help take the stress out of your next Disney or Universal vacation. As both a Platinum-level EarMarked Disney travel agency and a Universal U-Preferred Platinum Planning Partner, their team can assist with hotels, theme park tickets, and dining reservations at no additional cost to you. Be sure to tell them Jim and Drew from Fine Tooning sent you! If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Disney's Hexed takes the spotlight alongside New York Comic Con animation news, Peanuts' 60th anniversary, Broadway updates, and a celebration of Don Bluth's legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jim Hill and Drew Taylor take a trip through animation history as they explore the life and legacy of Walter Lantz, the creator of Woody Woodpecker. Following Drew's visit to Lantz's historic Toluca Lake home, Jim traces the animator's unlikely career, from inheriting Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to becoming one of the last producers of theatrical cartoon shorts. Along the way, they discuss Disney's latest Netflix licensing strategy, the London Film Festival premieres of Wildwood and Ray Gunn, and the return of Coco to the concert stage. Plus, why Lantz's greatest contribution to animation may have been keeping his artists employed long after other studios had moved on.
With Drew Taylor sidelined by a broken foot, Jim Hill takes the controls for a solo edition of Fine Tooning packed with animation news and Disney history. Jim checks in on DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island, Studio Ghibli Fest, Dana Terrace's Knights of Guinevere, and Drew's new making-of book, The Art of Wildwood. Then he digs into Bob Chapek's new memoir, Behind the Castle Walls, and questions the former Disney CEO's account of how The Return of Jafar came to be. Along the way, Jim revisits The Rescuers Down Under, Disney's early sequel strategy, and the Robin Williams dispute that complicated any plans for another theatrical Aladdin adventure. NEWS • DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island shows encouraging word of mouth despite a disappointing start at the box office.• Studio Ghibli Fest brings Spirited Away: Live on Stage back to theaters for another special screening.• Episode Two of Dana Terrace's Knights of Guinevere arrives on Glitch's YouTube channel.• Drew Taylor's new Rizzoli book, The Art of Wildwood, goes behind the scenes of Laika's upcoming stop-motion feature. FEATURE • Jim examines Bob Chapek's claim that he pushed Disney Animation to create an Aladdin sequel after the original film became a VHS phenomenon.• The Rescuers Down Under complicates the idea that Disney's animation executives were fundamentally opposed to theatrical sequels.• Robin Williams' very public falling-out with Disney created a major obstacle to producing another Aladdin movie for theaters.• The Return of Jafar ultimately became a direct-to-video blockbuster after beginning life as material connected to Disney's Aladdin animated television series. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews• YouTube: @jimhillmedia• TikTok: @jimhillmedia• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR Planning a trip to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando? The team at BeOurGuestVacations.com can help with hotels, theme park tickets, dining reservations, and the details that go into building an Orlando vacation, all at no additional cost to you. Be sure to tell them Jim from Fine Tooning sent you. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jim Hill and Drew Taylor are back with a packed week of animation news, including Disney+ finally ordering its long-in-development Darkwing Duck reboot to series with Mark Hamill, Seth Rogen, and Lizzy Caplan among the announced voice cast. They also check in on DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island, react to the trailer for Skydance Animation's Ray Gunn, and look ahead to the next chapter of Dana Terrace's Knights of Geneviere. Plus, Drew previews the Animation Is Film Festival, Netflix brings KPop Demon Hunters into the real world, and Sherri Shepherd prepares to make Disney Broadway history.
Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dig into Hasbro’s “Transformers: The Apology Tour,” marking 40 years since Transformers: The Movie traumatized a generation by killing Optimus Prime. They also look at Peter Cullen’s final performance as the Autobot leader, his lesser-known Disney animation work, and Jim Cummings’ pointed reaction to the latest class of Disney Legends. Plus, there’s animation news from DreamWorks, Netflix and Laika, along with a box-office milestone for Coyote vs. Acme.